The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 146

Thank you. I am not going to lie and say that I felt a bit of pressure reviewing it but I am glad I was given the chance.

 

Well you certainly nailed it, Home run.

 

This week, @BTDandFeelingThis recommended me Hurt from Hawthorne Heights and Transmissions from Starset.

Hawthorne Heights is a band that needs no introduction. In 2015 the group released a collection of songs called Hurt. It is the final installment of a trilogy that also included Hate and Hope.

Hurt starts out with one of the more interesting songs I’ve heard from the band. It’s a song that feels influenced by early Pianos Become the Teet or La Dispute. There is no pop structure and the lyrics are arranged as a poem of sorts. The next three songs were all different including a mid tempo song, a classic HH song, and one with a very groovy guitar lead.

Overall, this was a fun listen that reminded me of their early records while also trying some new sounds and structures. I thought I had heard this release, but it must have been one of the other H releases. I could see myself returning to this at some point.

Starset - Transmissions

Last round I was given the latest Starset. This week I was given their preceding effort. This collection of songs is overall very comparable to their current release. Similar to their latest album, this one is also 15 songs and 71 minutes and features a lot of electronic transitions and intros.

Where this record differs from its follow up is that Transmissions tends to sit more in the active rock arena rather than blurring the lines between active rock and modern pop music. That said, this album is still trying to write catchy songs. One of the prime examples is the chorus to My Demons that, to me, has an instant feel to the chorus of E.T. By Katy Perry.

This album is overall a bit long and sometimes tough to get through in one sitting. I say that as someone who admittedly doesn’t listen to much active rock, so it sort of makes sense. That said, this album has some really good moments and the singer really is talented. I enjoyed hearing another Ohio band that has potential to catch on with a bigger audience.

 

Gonna be a whole lot of Jimmy Eat World and Starset going on in here this week it seems haha.

 

Glad to hear you enjoyed the albums man, especially one that is out of your comfort zone per say

 

You say that like it’s a bad thing

 

@EmmanuelSCastle and I traded albums

I will be listening to

Oso Oso - The Yunahon Mixtape

And @EmmanuelSCastle will be listening to

St. Lucia - Matter

 

By the way, if you liked ‘There Was A Kid’ their other two EPs Hate And Hope open with There Was A Kid parts 1-2, same type of intro song as that one and they connect to eachother

 

good review of CE. great album and jealous you get to see them this year.

as for NIN, I kind of liked The Downward Spiral way back in highschool, but I really liked With Teeth. I thought it was a little more polished and easier to listen to.

 

God to know! Thanks.

 

Alright I believe its time to do some write ups, since we haven't any posts on here since noon yesterday and that ain't cool. I have 7 albums this week (Damn I am insane), and I will be doing 3 of them tonight! Right here, right now!

First up, @Kennedy

The Moon Runners- Starblanket

Haven't heard of these guys? Its okay, half of the internet hasn't. It took me a bit to find the album cover to use on this review. This band is sort of a local band for @Kennedy and from what he has told me a commanding presence on stage in a live setting and that they are one of the best live bands he can think of. Upon hearing this album, I can 100% believe that and I would definitely catch these guys live if I could. This album, this band, is definitely unique and I cannot imagine what this translate to live. As far as how the music sounds and what type of music it is; imagine if early punk rock bands adapted space themes and keyboards from bands like Starset, and this is what the outcome would be. Crazy smooth guitars that almost take on a funk sound at certain points in the songs and then transition into something that sounds like you are receiving a signal from space, raging intros and bridges that rely solely on the power of the chords being played and doing it well, mixed in with electronic keyboards and space themes. I am hard pressed to find many bands to compare this sound to.

This is a short album at 7 tracks and only 33 minutes, and its gone too fast sadly because each of these songs have their own unique sound to them. Intro song 'Starblanket', which is also the title track, starts with this amazing guitar rip and weird but cool space static sound, before the lead vocalist takes off along with breakneck speed music. The vocalist of this band is different as well, with a voice that definitely stands out with a method of singing/yelling that is reminiscent of old Pop punk/pop rock singers before they get overproduced and mix it with a jazz singer. It might be a bit jarring at first but you quickly adapt to his voice and embrace it, since it just fits with this type of music. I wanted to find a singer to compare it to, but it makes more sense to compare it to the genre type instead of one particular vocalist, because its hard to name one that quite sounds like this. Second track 'Zora's Domain'(Yes that is actually the name of the song and I.Fucking.Love.That) was already the song I had my eye on starting this album because of the title. But it ended up being my favorite of the songs because of how it sounded too. Kicking off with a damn catchy guitar line that thumps, as soon as the lyrics begin even if you don't know the words(and its hard to understand them sometimes because of the production, I will admit), you still find yourself jamming along with this. 'Of Ghosts and Goblins' is the same way, although this one starts with space transmission static and blurs before erupting into a very unique and cool guitar/bass line and then switches it up with soft crooning guitar picks and a pause, before heading back into this very cool riff it has going on. Its a great song lyrically too, with lyrics like 'Open up your love, and look into my face. You want to close it off, it wont close all the way" this song is probably the best song on the album lyrically. 'Galactus' is an impressive 7 minute long song, starting off with this slow and soft score that eventually explodes into one of the craziest songs on the album with insane drumming in parts of the song and almost no vocal work, being simply a musical piece. Then the next song is a 6 minute long jam of a song titled 'Luna 51' with some of the smoothest guitar work I have heard in a long time and works really well as a closer. These guys are talented, and just one time through this album leaves no question to that.

Most of the tracks on this album are like that. Sometimes it seems like multiple songs stitched together to make one, but held together by a common thought; so it never feels disjointed and it always works. The space themes and sounds in the background compliment the songs and do not hurt them either. Its a very, very unique sound and one I definitely recommend checking out. There are a lot of cool things going on here (smooth guitars, echoing vocals, crazy drums that lead into fast paced pure rock sounds). Its honestly hard to put the sound of this album into words that will truly express exactly how cool this album is. If the production was a bit better on the vocals, clean them up a bit and so forth, this would be a damn near perfect album. Very cool and unique, and I bet sounds better live. I would recommend hearing the album at least once, just to scope out the unique sounds this band portrays.
7/10

Cursive- The Ugly Organ

This one was a quite a ride, I would say. This indie/emo rock band somehow flew under my radar, despite containing lots of elements of songs that I love. I would almost describe this album as 'psychological rock', with many of the lyrics in these songs displaying different intense displays of psychiatric issues. This is clear in the second song, technically the first if you do not count the cool little carnival like intro, 'Some Red Handed Sleight of Hand' within the first few lyrics goes : "Its no use to keep a secret, everything I hide ends up in lyrics. So read on, accuse me when you're done if it sounds like I did you wrong. Our father who art in heaven, Save me from this wreck I am about to drown in'. It displays a level of self loathing or a lack of self respect.

These types of lyrics, though different in their subject (Some deal with toxic romance, some deal with mental issues, etc), are evident through the entire album. Also evident through the entire album is the musical skill of this band. Crooning guitars, thumping chords to match perfectly with certain set of insanely deranged lyrics, piano and much more twine together in a way that sounds just insane as the lyrics and the state of mind of the 'subject' of each song. My favorite example of this was 'The Butcher Song', which through out its verses dealing with the man's self loathing and his problems in love have this thumping guitar that has this 1-2-3-1-2-3 beat that is extremely hooking and continues into the 2:30 mark of the song; until thunderous drums, guitars, and organs chime in to add to the craziness. Honestly, this song was probably the one I returned to the most on this album, just for its sheer insanity.

A smooth bass line is the intro to the song of 'Driftwood: A Fairy Tale' takes the theme of Pinocchio and turns it into this twisted story of a toxic relationship about a woman using the man despite his romantic gestures and good intentions, further expanding on the twisted lyrics of this album. 'Bloody Murderer' contains this creepy lyrical story of a man who won't let the soul of the woman he murdered rest. When I say the lyrical themes in these songs are deranged, this is what I mean. But the music coinciding these twisted tales is so good, and just as insane. 'Sierra' continues the toxic relationship motif with the story of a man who catches his wife cheating and with another man, and the singer lamenting that his daughter is now being raised by this man who is sleeping with his wife in his bed, and the raw emotion of this song is quite intense, especially following on the heels of Bloody Murder. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention 'The Recluse' this extremely cool song about waking up in a stranger's bed, a black widow of a woman and he's basically foolish fallen into her web by ending up in her bed. There is an honest to god cello in this song (it appears in a few other songs as well), and I love the way this song sounds. It and 'Herald! Frankenstein' are probably the best songs musically.

Deranged, insane, dark, lamenting. So many words describe this album both in music and lyric. Its almost like watching some twisted anthology stage play unfold, and this is the sound track. I recommend this one; it can be challenging to bond with on the first listen for some I imagine but I would advise to give it a couple listens until it wraps you up in its web just like The Recluse. Highly recommend the album.
8/10



And now a special trade with @ComedownMachine

Arctic Monkeys- Favourite Worst Nightmare


I knew right from the insane breakneck almost The Smith's like guitar opening line of 'Brianstorm' and the static vocals over this fast paced track that this album was going to be a fun ride. This album is a FUN album, and its relentless in its speed. Its fast paced, and it barely gives you a moment to breathe. You need to keep up with this album, but once you get into the grove of this English indie band, you have a blast listening to this album. It has its arms in the indie genre and in the punk genre all at once, making for a unique sound (from what I have gathered they have changed styles quite a bit and this was one of those instances.)

Right after that fun intro song, you get thrown right into one of the most fun songs on the album; 'Teddy Picker'. This song is just plain fun, with this extremely groovy sound to it that carries through the entire song with smooth lyrics that roll of the tongue with lyrics such as 'Despair to the point will they provoke,The punchline, before they have told the joke, The sheer desperation to be seen, Staring at the television screen.' that you find yourself singing along with this upbeat tongue twister style. This song is immediately followed by two of my favorites on this album 'D Is For Dangerous' and 'Balaclava'. Especially the former, which is extremely catchy in its lyrics and will have you singing along with the verses and the chorus containing the title line of 'I think you should know you're his favorite worst nightmare' is one that you will instantly find stuck in your head. At only 2:14, the song flies by and is both played and sung at the same breakneck speed.

The intro to the next track 'Balaclava' is one of my biggest highlights of this album and this song ended up becoming my favorite on the entire album. When the lyrics come in with this almost sing song rhyming beat and this smooth bass line behind it before the whole song just takes off, it will get caught in your head and you will find yourself returning to it often. The meaning of the song, at least what I read from it, is quite clever too. To me, the song is about chasing pleasure in the moment and damn the consequences to you or anyone else. Its about the person in question hiding their true nature from the woman lover he is currently with, and she wants him to reveal his true self but can never be sure if hes going to be loving or chaotic and destructive to her life. Its just a fun song with clever lyrics and music that hooks you in.

The next song I want to talk about is 'The Bad Thing' which was my second favorite on the album. From what Mike tells me this is regarded as one of the weaker songs on the album, but of course I ended up placing it as my second favorite. Musically its just as fun and fast as the rest of this album, with these very cool 'thump thump' guitar and bass lines played under the verses. The song is about a man at a bar who is being advanced upon by someone else's girlfriend/wife, and he slowly comes to the conclusion that despite his desire to give in to her suggestions that he could end up destroying their relationship and that alcohol isn't an excuse to act like this. A lot of the songs on this album have a tinge of betrayal and heartache sewn into the lyrics but they are played up in the most upbeat type of song.

I should address the music in this album too. Like I said prior, its fast paced at a relentless speed in places. All the participants in this band are skilled, its cleared. The drums are on point throughout each line of the songs, the bass lines are thick and groovy and you will find yourself humming them. The guitars in these songs are hyped like a punk song should be, but they are also extremely smooth. I am no musician, but I will say that even I can tell that this band is talented and they put their skills on full display in this album. If you haven't heard this album, check it out.
8/10

 

I love seeing this record recommended. It's my favourite of theirs which is quite an unpopular opinion but it has that perfect mix of quirk and fun as you said plus a real "grown up" feel compared to their debut without taking itself too seriously.

Funny how many points we differ on though, the three tracks you highlighted are literally the three I listen to least from it if I cherrypick (I love the run of "Do Me A Favour", "This House Is A Circus", "If You Were There, Beware" and of course, "505" to round the album out) and I would enver have described "Brianstorm" as Smiths-esque (although now I think about it, it is reminiscent of "The Queen Is Dead"?). Wasn't my album, but really glad you dug this and that it was recommended!

 

I actually had mentioned 505 a bit but I removed it for length reasons lol. But to be fair there isn’t a bad song on the album and I could have talked about them all.

When I said Smith Esque I meant the whole album

 

Now I have to go listen to The Ugly Organ. Nice write up!

 

wow Kev i really really loved these reviews. Glad you loved The Moon Runners, that record is really great and more people on here should check it out. i think a good RIYL for The Moon Runners is The Mars Volta.
Also so stoked you were into The Ugly Organ. it can be a challenging album at first because it really is just that at times - ugly. but i find when you become more familiar with it, it becomes beautiful. i dno, that sounds so cheesy but whatever haha.

 

I love The Ugly Organ.

 

I think that’s the point of that album though. A deranged mess you end up loving

 

As you should it’s damn good

 

I have next week (02/05-02/12) ready to go and here they are:


CMCS SESSION 10
(02/05-02/11)
@Nate_Johnson // @BTDandFeelingThis

@fame // @nickyeatworld

@Larry David // @Michael Schmidt

@JM95 // @thenewmatthewperry

@jorbjorb // @JRGComedy

@marioeatworld // @EmmanuelSCastle

@BTDandFeelingThis // @Patterns in Traffic *

@CarpetElf // @Cody

@teebs41 // @BTDandFeelingThis

@skurt // @Micool1

@AlwaysEvolving21 // @js977

@sophos34 // @bachna84

@ShadowTh2b // @Kennedy

@broken.22 // @Kiana

@mattfreaksmeout // @Colin Your Enthusiasm

@Sheaver10 // @skogsraet

@Joe4th // @iCarly Rae Jepsen

@Mary V // @Fucking Dustin

@bree1981 // @Rob Hughes

There you go!!

You aren’t listed? Dm me and find out why. Either you’ve been benched or I just made an error!

 

I'm not listed again, but it's fine I'll take a week out.

 

Do you really want a week out? I can fix it

 

You should change Fuck You Aurora to his new name broken.22

 

Nah it's all good, it's birthday week so seeing family and stuff so won't have much time. Thank you!

 

Oh sure. Happy early birthday

 

@Cody hit me up whenever